I’m setting small *attainable* goals for the new year – For starters, {{aside that there is always a goal to lose weight}} I’m going to have a project called Soul Garden – a soul searching and personal art journal with a theme of the week and quotes. The idea is to have a meaningful word theme a week, with inspiration and prompts to live a more positive life and project kindness and goodness to others. I’ll be sharing some of these pages – and you’re welcome to join me in this journey! I’d love to have you along!

This is also the year I will become a licensed designer! I’m excited to make it happen.

In celebration of the new year,clilck on the photo below (should open up a new window) then right click on the photo below and then click “save picture as”. It’s a free printable for you to write down your thoughts, goals, BLESSINGS of 2012 and reflections….

If you’d like email this list back to me – I’d love to see!

To begin my soul garden journey, I am reflecting on where I’ve been and where I am now. Never in my entire life, have I had so many blessings and sorrows all in the same year. This was the year I lost my Mom. I miss her terribly,It hurts terribly, but I’m thankful that I’ve had Mom’s very bestest friend Donna Sue to lean on, she’s now become my bestest friends and it a priceless jewel!

So many other things to be thankful for – and I need to keep these as constant reminders too! Sometimes you don’t know how many blessings you’ve had until you list them all…..

I wrote another book Art + Life Combined and it released in September

I had the pleasure of taking Mariah with me to London, visit friends in Stoke On Trent and Knottingham and then spend a couple of days in Paris.

Appeared on the UK Shopping network Create and Craft

Spent time with my Aunt Junie and Cousin Kelly

Taught classes at Stitches and making lots of new friends there

Attended the NAEA convention in NYC and met all kinds of amazing art teachers from all over the world, listened to their stories and shared ideas on how to improve kids lives through art!

Today I went to one of my favorite shops and talked with the store owner. I had let her borrow a couple of my books to peruse and get some ideas. The shop is FABULOUS and the shop owner, who I’ll just call – shop owner – (lol), is a lovely lady bursting full of ideas and a gorgeous shop to boot!

Her dream is to write a book, however, she swore up and down, that it was just not in her to do that! I believe in her…….all she has to do is Imagine the Possibilities!She’ll do it…I know she will!

What are you imagining today?

P.S. I picked this box up at a garage sale for $3. It just needed a little love and I was so happy to upcycle it this weekend. I’ll share more soon!

I am who I am…..I admit it…. I – AM – A – CRAFT – JUNK – HOARDER!! However I will not be appearing on any episodes of Hoarders – EVER!

I thought you might like a sneaky peek into my creative zone. This is my creative corner in the studio where I work alot. It’s my trash to treasure space! As you can see I’m surrounded with stuff! It’s all at my fingertips, you name it…buttons, jewelry findings, thread, needles, trims, TACKY GLUE, paper…it’s all there….it’s my zen place..I can tune out the world……………and when I do….this is what happens….

In designing this piece, entitled Chantilly Lace, I was taken back to my Mother’s wedding day, standing there, this beautiful young woman dressed in chantilly lace.

Good memories of a marriage to my Dad that lasted 51 years! The pearls are from Mom’s collection of broken bits and pieces of jewelry.

The MASON JAR LID PUMPKIN PROJECT

My favorite time of year has arrived – FALL! I love the cool weather, love the crisp mornings sitting outside on my porch reading the paper, love the colors but most of all….I love PUMPKINS! and I’m beginning to get quite a collection.

This pumpkin popped up on my facebook feed a couple days ago…. I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

and I just happen to have a few dozen jar lids at my disposal so with that I MADE MADE MADE….